Problem Nineteen: How do you kill five birds with one stone?

(The extra long Special)

-Written by… Veronica Avalon

- Edited by… tiberuslord

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"And that's it…"

It is late at night at Asuka and Rei's apartment, with Yukari as their guest they sit over a large supply of takeout food. Most of it half eaten, and lying over top of paper that has scribbled marks all over them. Asuka seems to be more interested in the paper work around her then her food.

"I don't know…"

Rei majestically takes small bites from her rice as she thinks about the plan presented. "It is nearly impossible to know what will happen. Chance of your success is unknown."

Seeing very little confidence in her work, Yukari leans back. "Look it will work, I know it will."

Once more it is Asuka how looks doubtful of the plan. "Zero, I think this is kinda, stupid…"

"Look trust me…"

Yukari stands up and walks over to the balcony looking down at the street. As she looks down at the street she sees, Mana Kirishima making her way out of the building she walks towards the school, with a small smile Yukari turns to her two reluctant comrades. "To late for debate, it time for me to roll out."

Both watch as Yukari runs out the door Asuka looks to Rei who seeming doesn't care about what's going on. "What do you really think her chances are?"

"Slim to none…" Asuka nods at Rei's comment with a small smile on her face, slowly Asuka begin to laugh and even Rei cracks a smile. "Can you pass the soy sauce?"

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Deep with in Tokyo 3 Mana Kirishima stands by her self at a bus stop she looks at her watch to see it is nearly 2100 hours. With a heavy sigh, she sits down just as a man walks in. She has never seen him before but he has seen her, for which it is Ryouji Kaji. He looks at the girl that sits before him with some sympathy.

"Hi…" Kaji mumbles as he wipes his nose. Mana places a tapped folder on the bench as she leans back not thrilled with her job.

She then stares up at the glass shelter she sits in. "Everything is going smoothly, no problems… The bus is on time."

"I bet…" Kaji leans onto his knees and looks to the ground. "Do me a favor, don't go looking for your friends." Both don't move as Kaji gives a second to let some pass. "Their as good as dead, so don't, join them."

Mana stands and looks at her watch. "I have to go, I forgot something…"

With a reluctant stare Kaji watches the girl leave, he has a good feeling on were she is going and he doesn't like it. "Still just a child…"

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The next day brings school for the Pilots, Rei also goes, even if she is blind; she refuses to leave Asuka's side. Shinji and Yukari enter together, both seem to be enjoying each other company. Nevertheless, as soon as Mana enters Shinji quickly diverts his attention to her, the two talk about very useless stuff but most love struck idiots do that. Class begins as normal, Yukari seems to be behaving but when class goes to break up into groups Yukari jumps out of her seat and lands on Mana's desk.

"Would you like to be in my group?"

With a smile and a nod, she looks to Shinji. "Sure we can all work together."

From the safe distance, Asuka looks to Yukari somewhat knowing what she is doing. She then looks to Rei and chuckles. "Zero is still at it."

Rei shakes her head as she thinks of yesterday. "It will be nice to see her fail for once…"

Her statement has Asuka lean back and away from Rei. "Rei…" She pats her friend on her back. "Your as brave as I am."

Diligently working on their packet, Shinji Mana and Yukari talk about simple things, nothing of important until Yukari accidentally stabs herself with her pencil. Her reaction is quick as she sticks her finger in her mouth.

"Meowww…"

Yukari's cry has Mana look to Shinji then to her, worried about what to do. "Are you bleeding…" With a tearful look, Yukari shakes her head.

With confidence never seen before, Shinji stands up and looks over to Hikari. "Hey, Class Rep, Yukari hurt herself , can I go get her a Band-Aid from the school kit."

At first Hikari doesn't know whose talking, Shinji isn't the one to jump at the chance to help someone. Once she sees that Shinji's the one asking the question she smiles, glad to see that he is in good spirits. "Sure, make sure you log it."

"Come on Mana…" Shinji hold out his hand as he has an ear-to-ear smile on his face. "I can show you the where the class medical kit is."

"Okay!" Mana squeals as she takes Shinji's hand returning Shinji's smile with a hug of her own. "Sit tight Yukari."

As they walk away, Yukari gives a smirk, before bending down for her school bag.

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By lunch, Shinji and Mana find themselves together on the school grounds. With chivalry never seen in Shinji, he packed them both lunches taking time to even make the tea. They sit together under a Cherry tree with the sun being blocked by a patch of clouds it is a perfect day.

With a little giggle Mana, leans up against Shinji as she enjoys the food made for her. "You know what?" To busy holding back from blushing, as Mana leans on his shoulder all Shinji can do is smile. "Do you want to go out on a date?"

Shinji might have grown in confidence, but not that much. He begins to choke on his food. Mana sees the danger Shinji is in and pats his back. Desperate to breath Shinji grabs the thermos that holds the tea and chugs it. Once relieved of the pickle in his throat and a couple long breaths to re-oxygenate his blood he looks to Mana. "You mean Go out, as in a couple."

"Sure…" Mana raps her arm around Shinji's as she snuggles against him. "Just you and me, it would be perfect."

Feeling so much love from this girl he only met two days ago seems so weird. 'Is this a dream or is this God apologizing for giving me a shitty life.' His wondering thoughts seem to go to how lucky he is. Mana has walked into his life and has made it worth living. "It would be great… I mean I would love to…" Shinji winces at the "L" word. "I would be honored to go out with you." Wanting to kick his own ass for the stumbles, Shinji looks away. 'Smooth, Shinji-man real smooth…'

"After school, we should plan our date!"

With a scared look on his face, Shinji forgot for a second that he was going on a date. He watches as Mana eats her lunch. "Umm… sure…"

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"You Joking!"

Asuka stands out side of her classroom in disbelief at what is being told to her. The one giving her information is one of the few people that will talk to Asuka, Yukari. With a Popsicle in her hand, she leans up against the wall with a smile.

"Well!"

Seeing that, she needs clarification on what was just said Yukari rolls her eyes. "I said Shinji and Mana are going on a date."

With a snotty look, Asuka crosses her arms. "I don't know what the girl sees in that Baka, he's a spineless loser, with no guts at all, she's probably just as stupid…" When see turns to look back at Yukari, she sees Shinji and Mana in her place. Mana holds Shinji's hand, and Shinji looks pissed. Not one to back down Asuka stares down Shinji. "What's wrong Wonder Boy!"

Mana hides behind Shinji who over heard everything Asuka said. "Why don't you shut the hell up Asuka." This was nowhere close to the response Asuka was expecting from the boy who always says sorry.

"How dare you talk to me like that you…"

The cold hard sting of a slap forces Asuka to stop yelling. Shinji's hand stands in mid swing frozen. The rush of adrenalin to his system is pleasing and with the endorphins now at their peak, Shinji is in ecstasy. He gently takes Mana's hand and walks back into class just as the bell rings. Asuka takes no heed to the Bell. She holds her redden cheek, unable to comprehend what she feels.

"What just happened…"

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By days end, the sun begins to set in Tokyo 3 and most students are home by now. Misato comes home after a double shift, beat and in need of a beer. She enters to find no one home, only a note. She first gets a beer then looks to see PenPen is on the coach watching TV with Servo sleeping on his head. With her life priorities in order, she reads the note.

'Misato… This is Yukari here saying that I am going to be out catching a cute looking spy, Shinji's planning a date, and I made some Oden and it is in the fridge eat it up… Luv Yukari…'

With a smile, Misato takes another swig of her beer and goes to the fridge before something dawns on her. "Shinji is planning a date!"

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Far from Misato's house and nearly an hour, later Mana is in Tokyo 3 with a huge smile. She sees her objective and rushes to a window of a café knocking on it. A boy no older then her smiles and waves to her as she comes in to the café. She rushes in closer to meet with a hug. Mana is in near tears as she speaks.

"Why… My god, why did you do it."

The boy puts Mana at shoulder length and walks her to the table he was sitting at. "Mana, you inspired us… It was you who wanted to escape first."

Knowing this information doesn't help Mana as she looks down. "But, now… There are only two of us left…"

"He's alive…" The boy takes Mana's hand to see her spirits perk up. "I'm real close on finding him, and when I do we will get him together, then we can leave this place."

As tempting the idea sounds, Mana has new reasons to stay. "But I'm on a mission, if I just pick up and go, we will be hunted down… now is not the time…" Mana smiles as she takes her friends hand. "Trust me, we will escape, as we planed, just the three of us." Both give a warm smile to each other before separating. "I better get going, I have a drop to make."

As Mana stands to leave, the boy stands as well. "Mana, be careful…"

With a simple nod, Mana goes off leaving the boy to his thoughts. He looks around to see no one is following Mana so he pays his bill and leaves, with a swing in his step and humming a tune. Once out of the Café the boy walks down the street with not a care in the world, at least until her feels the cold metal barrel of a pistol strike his back. His first reaction is to attack, but with the slightest flinch, the gun is pressed hard into his back.

The boy looks behind him to see a Man in shadows only a little taller then him, he has a black trench coat on had has long black hair. Because of the large bill hat, he cant see the mans face.

"Are you here to bring me back…"

At first, the boy's question goes unanswered but the man begins to whisper in his ear. "No my little friend, far from it. I am a third pary that is interested in your toy."

"What toy…"

"Oh don't be shy…" The man keeps the gun to his back as he walks forward forcing the boy to do the same. "We watched your display three nights ago, and we are impressed…"

The man remarks seemed to be sincere, but he cares not to trust a man who holds him at gunpoint. "So if your not here to take me back what's with the gun…."

Once more it takes sometime before the man speaks. "I know a little about you Pilots, you're good fighters… my gun, lets just say is my back up insurance policy."

"Really…" The boy gives a smirk to the idea. "You need more then one."

"The other is the one where if you don't cooperate we put a bullet in the brain of your girlfriend…""

The comment gets the boys attention. "Don't touch her…"

Slowly the gun is felt to go up and down his back. "That's up to you… The Robot, where is it.

In truth this might just work in favor of the Savoir pilot as he tries to think of a way out of this mans gun. 'Mana was always the better of the three.' With the sake of his head, he stops walking and turns to face the man. Still in shadows, the man brandishes his Walther P-90. " There is only one left." Silence is all her gets in return. "What do I get out of this?"

"Freedom." The man is seen smiling as he answers. "You will betaken far away…"

"Not good enough." The boy steps forward, not a fried of the gun. "All of us, Me, Mana…"

The man points the gun up to the boy's mouth. "You have no room to negotiate, First JSIA has found your little friend and he is out of our reach, third your girl friend is in NERV's hands now."

Seeing that the boy is willing to talk, the man puts the gun to the boy's chest. "Then guarantee their safety."

"The one in JDIA is out of our hands, but we have people in NERV who can prevent her prosecution and excision, when she is found out to be a spy."

Not the best deal in the world the boy sighs knowing it is all he can get from the man in the shadows. "That's it."

"Yes…" The man smiles once more. "Or I can shot you and we will get the robot the hard way."

The comment brings a look of disgust on the boy's face. "Why not kill me then."

"Its cheaper not to…"

The reason seems sound. "I see…" With no options left he looks up to the man. "I will take the Savior to Old Tokyo, you can pick it up there."

"No… You will drop it off in downtown Tokyo 3."

"Are you insane!" The boy step back and looks around. "The city is a god damn fortress. Even if I make it past the JSSDF defense line the Evangelion will destroy me."

"Do as your told, I want that Robot in the downtown shopping district at 1535 sharp two days from now." The boy bows his head with a spit of spite, the man stares at him though the shadow that cloaks his face. "I will contact you tomorrow at 1700 hours with the details."

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Far from even the city lights of Tokyo 3 Mana Kirishima lays on her bed in her small lake front house, unsure of her thoughts. Beside her, are photographs of all the pilots, copies of their ID cards, Information and pictures of the Evangelions they pilot. All of this is classified, but what disturbs Mana the most is what she has just discovered. In front of her is a dry erase bored, on it is a tree, of names and the tree brake down goes as followed. 'Yui Ikari to Unit One, Unit One to Shinji Ikari.' Yui Ikari also starts a second branch. 'Yui Ikari to the Ayanami sisters, from the Ayanami sisters to End of the world.'

"Yukari was right," Mana rolls onto her back staring up at her ceiling. "Thanks to her, I know everything, but…" Her eyes begin to water as her thoughts are spoken. "If I make this drop, the JSSDF wont stand for it, they would try to kill…" She turns and looks to pictures of Shinji. "I cant, I cant make the drop, but if I don't…"

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At a Bus stop in Tokyo 3, Kaji sits with a frustrated look. It has almost been an hour since the missed drop. With only a half out left in his own window away from section two he debates on leaving. However, in a crowd with her head down low, and eyes nearly shut is Mana. Kaji sees the Red hair of Mana in her school uniform come out of the crowd. With a sigh of relief, Kaji looks at his watch as the girl sits down placing a Menlo envelope on the seat next to her.

"Why are you so late?"

All Mana does is side the envelope into Kaji's side before standing looking away from him. "No problems, the bus is on time…"

With his young spy not in the best of moods, Kaji stands up and walks by Mana dropping a letter in her hand. "Enjoy…"

Kaji keeping his eye on the girl as she turns away from him, looking were she left the envelope. Seeing that the drop was complete, Kaji looks down to the envelope in his hands. "See is pretty good."

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One thing Tokyo 3 has never been famous for is the news; with four of the five major affiliates controlled by the state or the UN it is high criticized for false reporting. Nevertheless, for one new organization, Sky News a British based news agency that is famous for going after a fair and balanced truth. In a post apocalyptic world, the truth is sometimes not well liked. At the Tokyo 3 Sky News headquarters, it is another slow day, filled with government stonewalls and misdirecting leads. Working the late night are only two reporter, both British and both very bored. Both are dressed in un-pressed suits that have not seen an iron in weeks.

"Hey Joe…"

One report as been sitting at his desk typing the letter M on his laptop for some time now looks up to the other report how has his head down on his desk. "What now Tony…"

"I was thinking…"

Quick to interrupt Tony, Joe stops typing and holds his hands in the air. "Wow, it's a bloody News story! Sky News reporter thinks…"

The joke ends as a stapler flies across the room hitting Joe in the head.

"Why, does NERV need so many secrets?"

With a serious question given, Joe looks down to his M filled word page and sighs. "You can't stop what you can't see."

Tony looks to his friend with a raised eyebrow. "So you are saying they are doing something, that they shouldn't do."

With a stretch of the arms, Joe nods his head. "Think about it, not once has anyone but those tits from NERV PR had their face in the news. If we do learn whose pulling the strings, I don't think anyone will like it."

"Oh…" With his questioned answered, Tony rests his head down onto his desk disappointed. His phone begins to ring and with a crestfallen voice her answers. "Sky News, Tokyo 3…"

At first, Tony's face does not change but when he falls out of his seat, Joe stands up in alarm. When Tony stands back up, he points to Joe's phone snapping his fingers. Since its something important he activates the speaker on his phone to hear whose on the line. There is silence, but soon a computerized altered voice begins to speak in a deep tone.

"The Secrets of NERV, I can give them to you…"

Both reporters look at each other with a skeptical look Tony is first to question the voice. "Really, sorry, but we cant just…"

"If you require proof, check your Email."

Spinning in his chair to his laptop, Joe closes his word document and to his email where his jaw drops at what he sees, nearly one hundred Emails as he opens up one, it has pictures and schematics of each Evangelion and there Entry Plugs. He looks up to Tony in shock.

"I take it from your silence that I have earned your trust. If you wish for more, be at the downtown-shopping district at 1530 sharp in two days. I will supply your attire and details on the exact location at 0455 tomorrow, and there you we find the one in charge of NERV."

The phone hangs up with both reporters unable to move. After a moment of silence Joe finally speaks. "Bring me everyone."

Not sure, on what he means, Tony takes a step forward to his friend. "What do you mean everyone."

"Everyone!"

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Far from the earth shattering event in Sky New, deep below in NERV Headquarters, at the Evangelion Cage. Units Two, One and Zero have there Upper backs in near pieces. Technicians all over each Eva, working feverishly and very displeased. One of the Crew chiefs to Unit One stands on the umbilical bridge with another going over a binder. Their Orange jumpsuits at dirty and stained with the blood of the Eva's, both Chief's look tired.

"Leave it to Doctor Akagi to ask for the impossible."

The other nods his head as he goes over the binder. He flips the page and points at the schematics. "I knew it…" He hands the binder off to his friend and calls up to the technicians on the Evangelions back. "Hey! The new interface bored, goes beside the others!"

One of the technicians picks up a small blue binder and flips through it before calling back. "What the hell, we don't have enough cannon plugs!"

"Check your TCTO and tell electrical to get their ass in gear, and get those cannon plugs installed."

The Chief looks back to his fellow chief to see he is looking at the edge of the umbilical bridge, where Ritsuko Akagi stands in near shock, at the base of her feet is a clipboard and scattered papers. She is unable to move as she stares at all but one Evangelion in near pieces. The two Crew chiefs shake thier heads as they approach her but they stop short when she yells out.

"What the hell are you doing!"

"Um…" The two chiefs look at each other, even the technician on the Evangelions stop working and look up to see Ritsuko hyperventilating. "We are doing what we are told."

"Who the hell told you to tare apart the Eva's!"

"Um…" The crew chief hand Ritsuko the binder and points to the cover sheet that has Ritsuko's signature on it. "You did."

Quickly Ritsuko goes over the binder, every page has notes in her handwriting, and she and Gendo Ikari signed each order inside. "I'm going crazy…"

"Excuse me…"

Ritsuko ignores the Chief as she begins to look at the orders given. "I never gave you these orders!"

"Um…" The chiefs look at each other and then to Ritsuko. "You put it on the maintenance schedule, you signed it yourself."

"No I didn't!" Ritsuko looks at the book as one of the chiefs put a copy of the Maintenance schedule and point to her signature. "I did."

"Yup…"

Slightly feeling ill Ritsuko looks back up at the chiefs. "What did I tell you to do?"

One of the chiefs takes the binder from Ritsuko and flips to a page. "You gave R&D orders to make a new Interface bored, for the Evangelion, Plug to Eva Translator computer."

"I did…"

"Yup…" They point behind them, and past the Evangelions that stand in disarray. "Section seven is in the Plug hanger, they're almost done with the TCTO change on the mother bored and visual translation drivers."

"I'm…" Unable to think, Ritsuko hands the binder back to the chiefs and walk away. "I'm going to get some coffee…"

"Sure thing…"

Ritsuko turns to the technicians. "Um… Good work… I think…"

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In a darkened room a phone is heard ringing. Turning on a light is a groggy and tired Gendo Ikari, who reaches across his king size bed grabbing a phone.

"What…"

On the other end, a nervous member of Section 2 speaks up. "Um… sir, sorry to disturb you, but… we have a problem…"

"Really…" Gendo looks at the time to see its only 4am. "I have a problem with agents who don't know how to fucking speak clearly."

"Sorry sir…" The person clears his throat and tries to speak more clearly. "We have reason to believe that there is going to be a drop of intelligence information, by someone from within NERV."

"Damn it…" Gendo begin to get out of bed, and puts on some clothes, wishing he never made it a priority to wake him when Spies are found. "I will be there in a hour."

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That day, brings not only the sunshine from the sun, but the day of Shinji Ikari's first date. Sleep has been hard for the young boy, who is about to go out with a girl who he believes likes him. For the first time there is not a shred of doubt in his mind.

'Its like a dream…' Shinji thinks to himself as he takes a bath. 'Man I never felt so good…'

Interrupting his thought is Yukari, who comes into the bathroom, looking like she has been hit by a truck. Her pajamas look dirty, like she slept on the street, and her hair is pinned down and pulled back. Shinji sinks into the tub somewhat embarrassed.

"Um… Yukari…"

She looks to Shinji then to herself. "Meow…" With a huge yawn, the girl walks out dragging her feet.

With her gone Shinji goes back to his thought. 'Its like I'm in…'

The door slams open and a half dressed Misato storms in going through a cabinet. Once more Shinji ducks in his bath water red in the face seeing Misato only has a bra on to cover her top.

"I can't believe I have no mascara… I never have, no mascara." Misato turns to Shinji somewhat frustrated. "Hey Shinji have you seen any mascara around?"

"Um… Misato…"

Misato looks to Shinji then at herself. "Oh…" She storms out of the bathroom calling out. "Yukari!"

Alone once more Shinji sits up and begins to think. 'Its like I'm in…'

The door opens up once more and slams shut; leaning up against the door is PenPen panting as he slips down in a sweet. Before Shinji can say anything, Servo jumps out of the cabinet Misato was in landing on the unsuspecting Penguin the two fight and roll on the ground. Shinji watches as PenPen tosses the cat out the door and jumps into the bath.

"I give up…"

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Looking over the balcony of her Apartment, Asuka sits in front of Rei, as they eat an early lunch outside. Rei's blindness, has not taken away her sixth sense as she looks to Asuka knowing she isn't paying attention.

"What's wrong?"

Asuka gives a small sigh as she looks to Rei and smiles. "Nothing." Even Rei knew Asuka was lying. Asuka was never good at it; she takes a second glance to see Shinji Ikari, walking away from the apartment to his date. As she looks at him her cheek begins to sting once again, as if Shinji's slap from the other day just happened.

'He… he, stood up against me… and I couldn't… I couldn't defend myself… I was helpless to that Baka Shinji…'

Looking towards Asuka with a worried look is Rei, she can feel that the girl she cannot see but holds so close is sad. However, her own skills in speaking lack the ability to help Asuka. 'I want to say something to her… but… but I don't know what to say…'

The silence is awkward, to souls so close to each other yet so far away. For Asuka, she knows why she thinks of Shinji, yet she can't put it into words. 'Why do I care over that idiot… why…' She looks to Rei who despite her blindness drinks her tea, with the poise of a woman twice her age. Her elegance brings a smile to Asuka, as she has always liked order people. 'Is it because I…' The thought brings a bitter sweat taste to Asuka's mouth. 'I like Rei…'

"Asuka…" Rei whispers in her low toned voice, as she does she takes Asuka's hand and holds it tightly.

Trying her best to hide her thoughts from Rei, sits up and clears her throat. "What's up Rei…"

Once more Rei can see past Asuka's lie, the lie is not upsetting but sweat, to Rei. For she knows that, she was thinking of her. 'Yet… I don't know what to say…'

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Far from the apartment, nearly an hour later Shinji finds himself waiting at the train station for his date. Only a half hour early Shinji eagerly waits for Mana. When she does show up in her stunning White dress and matching hat, Shinji is hard pressed to keep his hormones at bay. They are both greatly shy and have good reason to; for it is both their first date. Their date is not ordinary, to the day's standards, they're not going to get food, or go to a movie, but go and look at the sights of Tokyo 3. Shinji might have lived in the city for almost a half a year but he has never gone sight seeing, aside from the runaway attempt that almost ended in his expulsion from NERV after the second Angel battle. Everything seems to go smoothly until Mana looks to see Hot springs.

"What a wonderful day…" All Shinji can do is smile at Mana. She smiles back as she takes his hand and points at the Hot springs. "We should go get cleaned up a bit, what do you think."

"Umm…" Shinji face is flushed, as the first thought in his mind is what is expected out of a fourteen year old, the thought of seeing Mana naked. He quickly shakes it out of his head and tries to give a good response. "Sure, if you want."

With a giggle and a little flushed herself , Mana locks her arm around Shinji's. "Then lets go!"

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Once inside Shinji is first in to the hot springs. He nervously awaits the entrance of Mana, the fact that this is his first time in a Coed spring is taxing on Shinji's mind as he does his best to remain, However, when Mana exits all bets are off, seeing a towel tightly wrapped around Mana's body Shinji is forced to sink into the mercy of the hot spring. She slowly walks into the steaming water not braking eye contact with Shinji. Once at shoulder deep she removes the towel, even if Shinji can't see a thing he knows that he is going into unfamiliar territory. She goes to Shinji and the two sit with their backs to each other.

"M... a… na…" The stutter in Shinji's voice forces him to wince and shake his head knowing it sounded stupid. "Mana…"

"Yea Shinji…"

Taking a deep breath Shinji flex his hand open and closed under the water to help him build confidence. "I like this, and…" With one final clenching of his fist, Shinji looks up. "I wish this will never end."

Mana face becomes deep red; even if Shinji didn't say 'I love you' she knew what he was going after. "I don't want it to end either…" With a slightly deflated look, Mana looks down to the steam that comes off of the water. "Shinji… I… Love you…"

Alarms go off in Shinji's head, another first in Shinji's life has just occur. He has just jumped from the Sputnik to Landing on the moon in a single day. He losses the ability to breath for a second doing his best not to hyperventilate. 'Okay, Shinji-man… Oh…'

His mind is on the verge of imploding as he feels Mana move from behind. Before he knows it she turns him around the two are face-to-face, redder then bucket of red paint. Shinji isn't a fool, with a quick glance, there is nothing stopping him from seeing that Mana is a true red head. Both are silent, naked, and exposed mentally and physically as well. Mana takes the first move and presses her body against Shinji hugging him with all her heart. Before Shinji embraces back he does his best to stop a mans natural reaction to having a beautiful naked girl being pressed up against him, but seeing that it will not work he hugs her back. Both speechless Shinji plays it safe and remains conservative with his hugging as he finally builds up the courage to reply. For some reason it is Yukari own words on speaking your mind that drives him to answer.

"Mana…" Wanting to get the rest out in one breath Shinji gives him self some time to get the air. "I… Love you too…"

Mana begins to tear up as she releases Shinji from her hug and looks Shinji in the eyes. His gaze is haunting; Shinji has never had a look of pleased love and lust before, a look that Mana has never seen before. 'He is truly happy…' She closes her eyes and leans in, her intent is well read, and Shinji does the same. The two kiss passionately as they hold each other in their arms.

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Only an hour later Mana enters the girls changing room to find it empty. She sighs as she sits down on the bench near her locker unable to get Shinji off her mind. She opens her locker to the surprise of a black box sitting in it. She consciously opens it and is shocked at what she sees. In it is a note and beside it is a Walther P-90. She picks up the note and reads it.

"Lieutenant Kirishima, You mission is complete, we have gathered what we need and have determined that NERV is working against the interest of the Government. Your new orders are as followes, Terminate, the pilots, your primary is Pilot Shinji Ikari, Pilot Asuka Langley Souyu, and Pilot Yukari Ayanami, Secondary is Rei Ayanami, target of opportunity is Captain Misato Katsuragi."

Mana drops the box in tears, its content spill out, and also is discovered is a secondary note. She looks to see that it has a picture attached to it; it is of her and her fellow Savoir pilot talking in the café. She looks to the note.

"If you fail in your mission, the death of your friends will be your punishment, and the termination of you. Complete the following objectives by 1600 hours tomorrow."

Unable to breath, Mana falls to the ground she picks up the gun to feel that it is loaded. She shakes her head unable to decide on what to do. "If I don't…" She looks to the picture then out the door where Shinji, and know her target is most likely waiting. "I… don't know what to do…"

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With the fate of the pilots know in the balance, and no one at NERV is aware. Ritsuko however has not slept since her discovery, that she ordered the refit of three Evangelions, in the Command Center she looks over the data she does not remember doing. Distraught she does not take notice of Misato walking up behind her. No until she hears her clapping does Ritsuko look up.

"That was so nice of you…" Misato sits down next to Ritsuko with a smile. "When Maya told me I couldn't wait to congratulate you." Ritsuko sighs seeing she is the only one who knows she didn't do anything. "With this new upgrade, Rei will be able to see inside of a Evangelion. Its incredible!"

"Yup, its like I didn't even do it." Ritsuko jokes as she looks back at her work. "I don't know how I did it…"

Misato nods her head as she pats her friend on the back. "I can't wait to tell Rei, She will be thrilled."

"Heck the Commander doesn't even know yet."

With a confused look, Misato leans back. "What do you mean, didn't you tell him."

'If I knew that I did it I would have…' With her side thought behind, Ritsuko pilots up to the ceiling. "He is doing something Important, and hasn't been around to tell."

"Oh…" Misato stands up and goes to leave. "Well its great news all around, do you want to come with me and tell Rei."

"I have…" Ritsuko looks to the work in front of her and sighs. "I have a lot of follow up work to do." She watches as Misato nods in understanding and leaves, with her friend gone Ritsuko droops in her seat. "I wish I knew who did this, so I can thank them…"

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By the next day, Shinji is in Wonderland, with Mana the only thing on his mind. Yukari Ayanami lays in her room wearing her school uniform, with sleep demanded from her body, and a empty stomach. She looks all over her room at photos of Shinji and Mana together, Mana and Kaji together, and Mana with her fellow Savior pilot. Lying on the floor is a long black trench coat, beside it are shoulder pads, and boots with a foot long stilt connected to the heels. On her bed beside, is her Laptop, and posted notes attached to it. One her desk, are stacks of paper, all with cursive writing on it. Yukari's hair is still pulled back and not touching a bit of her face. She rolls over to reveal two cell phones tapped together with their receivers facing each other.

"This is it…" She gets up and pulls out mascara and begins to apply it to her face, her pail skin begins to disappear for a much more natural color. "Time to kill five birds with one stone…"

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(1500 hours) Intermission!!!!!

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Walking along side Rei, Asuka watches as her friend navigates by herself using, a long white cane. Every so often, she will correct Rei, or complement her on how well she's doing. Despite her condition Rei is smiling and enjoying Asuka's company as they talk about how Yukari has done nothing she said she was going to do. Alternatively, of simple matters of life, like what to eat when they get home. Even if Asuka does most of the talking, Re cant help but enjoy her voice. Until she senses that Asuka has stopped walking, not to get lost she also stops and reaches out taking Asuka shoulder.

"What is wrong?" Rei waits but she only feels Asuka's take a step forward and look up.

Asuka stares up at Misato's balcony to see Mana standing with her back facing railing. At first, she was only looking to see if she can see Shinji up there, but when she focuses on the Mana, she notices that she is holding out something. Even though Asuka has never spoke of it, she had gone through Anti Terrorist weapons training in Germany, and Mana isn't holding flowers.

"She has a gun!" Her out burst startles Rei. She turns to Rei about to ask if she sees it but quickly realizes she can't. She looks back to see that Mana is still holding a gun into the Apartment. "Rei, that new girl has a gun and she's in Shinji's apartment!"

Not sharing Asuka's concern, but fully aware of the danger she takes Asuka's hand. "Go ahead with out me…"

"No, I wont leave you!" Asuka takes Rei by the hand and begins to run with her, guiding her to the apartments. 'If she lays a hand on him…' Asuka quickens her pace as the image of Shinji shot dead appears in her mind. 'Please don't, die… don't leave me too!'

Once the two run into the apartment complex the red headed girl that currently stands there, places the gun and a pair of binoculars into a backpack. Before she closes the bag up, she places an envelope with To Shinji written in Mana's handwriting onto the chair on the balcony. With everything away, she puts the bag on her back and makes a running jump to the Balcony of the adjacent apartment once there she uncovers the grill to reveal a retractable rope and repelling gear. She quickly puts on the gear and extends the rope over the side. With great speed, Mana repelled down the Apartment complex reaching the ground in nearly a second. Once down she detaches the rope and activates the retractor sending the rope back up, discarding the repelling gear into some bushes Mana runs off.

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Inside Misato apartment, Shinji has finally awaked after going to bed at 4am; his night was spent reliving his very first date, and very first time at first base. It was a very peaceful sleep and Shinji has a smile a mile wide. He walks into the kitchen to see a note on the table.

"Shinji… Yukari here, I'm out at NERV Misato is working a double and I hope you had fun on your date. Luv Yukari…"

Shinji places the note down and goes to the fridge to get food only to be alarmed by a pounding at the door and a repeated ringing of the doorbell. 'What the hell…' Shinji goes to the door, annoyed with the way the person is trying to get his attention. He opens the door to see a out of breathe Asuka and Rei.

"Where's the Fire…" Not expecting to have Asuka nearly jump on top of him Shinji falls to the ground. "What the hell is going on."

"Where is she!"

With Asuka only inches from his face, Shinji pushes Asuka to arms length as he stands. "Where's Who?"

"That New girl!" Asuka rushes into the kitchen with Shinji not fare behind her. "Kirishima! I saw her she has a gun!"

Knowing he is the only one in the Apartment Shinji puts his hands on his hip. "I'm the only one here Asuka. Mana is not here."

"No I saw her!" Asuka goes to run into the living room only to have Shinji stand in her way. "I saw her she had a Gun!"

Getting pretty upset with Asuka, Shinji yells out. "No she wasn't, what the hell are you trying to pull!"

Asuka struggles to get past Shinji, desperate to stop Mana. "Please, Shinji you have to believe me! I saw that bitch on the balcony she's going to kill you!"

"Err..." Shinji pushes Asuka back now mad with the comment she just made. "Knock it off! Why cant you leave her alone, she's done nothing to you!"

"But Shinji!"

"No!" Shinji points to the door and slams his other hand against the wall. "Get out of here! Get out of my life!"

With tears in her eyes, Asuka goes to grab Shinji, only to be pushed away. She looks behind him, trying to see if Mana is behind him. With no visible line of sight, but sure on what she saw, she steps back as if she is about to leave only to rush past Shinji pushing him into the wall.

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Walking up to a bus stop in Tokyo 3, Kaji makes walks with a causal swing in his step. Before he reaches the stop he sees the back off Mana, who stands out side of the stop facing the street. Seeing her on time brings a smile to Kaji's face as he comes up behind her.

"Well it was hard, but you got what you wanted." Seeing that Mana is in her depressed mood, by her action of not even looking at him Kaji puts his hands in his pocket. "It seems the spy you found in the JDIA, is real and will be picked up when he makes his drop in about fifteen minutes." Once more silence, Kaji feels awkward as he looks around the city. "With all the information given, and as long as you kill the Ronin Savoir Pilot, and dispose of his robot, you will be placed as a permanent sleeper in the pilots school."

Expecting at least some show of gratitude he reaches out and grabs Mana's hand only to pull away quickly with the feeling that he just touched wet paint. He looks to his hand to see that it covered in Mascara.

"Make up?"

He turns the Mana around only to be in near shock at what he sees. For even though this girl looks like Mana he knows it not, the fact that there is only one girl he knows with Yellow eyes.

"Yukari!"

With an ear-to-ear grin Yukari nods her head as she looks to her watch. "Hi Kaji…"

"Holly Shit!" Kaji heart skips a beat as he wipes the make up off her face to reveal her pail skin. "What the hell is going on?"

"No time to talk…" Yukari takes Kaji's hand and looks him in the eye to see that she just shocked someone who never thought he could be shock. "Kaji… This is important…" She grabs his head to make sure he is listening. "Kaji, Mana is going to Shinji's apartment, she has orders to kill the pilots, and you have to stop her!"

Kaji looks in the direction of Misato's apartment and then to Yukari. "What the hell is going on?"

"White Spy, Black Spy…" With a cute schoolgirl smile Yukari hugs Kaji and begins to run off into the city yelling. "She will be there in fifteen minutes, I'm counting on you!"

With a look to his watch he looks to see that its 1514. With no time to lose he runs to get to Misato's apartment.

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In the Downtown Shopping district near an abandoned building three black SUV with black tinted windows pull up inside one sits Gendo Ikari his cold and deadly stare is focused on the abandon building. If there is one thing the Commander of NERV is famous for it is that he will always personally take care of spies. Some in section Two thinks he crazy, others feel that he just takes spies personal.

"So the rats inside?"

The driver nods his head as he and the man in the passenger side pull out MP-5SDs Submachine guns. Gendo pulls out a Socom and pulls back the receiver. Another man from one of the SUV's walks up next to Gendo's SUV and taps on the window. Gendo looks to it as the driver rolls it down for him.

"Sir, we have a report for out IR, one Lieutenant in a NERV uniform inside, and another, possibly JDIA."

"Excellent…" Gendo gets out putting the gun in a shoulder slung holster. "I like these calm little moments before the storm."

As Gendo begins to walk to the building the three SUV empty with nearly ten men in suits all armed with either MP-5SDs or AR-15's.

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Far from the events in Downtown Tokyo 3, Shinji Ikari has Asuka by the arm and being dragged as she desperately tires to get to the balcony. Say that Shinji isn't happy would be an under statement. He cures like he has never before, he has taken Asuka's intrusion as personal and doesn't even what her in his apartment. Asuka however, can't leave until she sees it with her own eyes that that there is no one there.

"Damn it Asuka why do you hate her!"

This is Shinji's last line just before Asuka slides open the balcony door rushing out side franticly looking for Mana. With her not in sight she looks to Shinji somewhat embraced.

"She was here, I saw her… me and Rei and…"

Shaking his head, Shinji walks over and grabs Asuka's arm. "Rei is blind, and so are you…" He looks to see an envelope addressed to him. He lets Asuka go and picks it up. "Its from Mana…"

Asuka looks down unsure of what to do, reality seems to becoming back to her and she looks around not knowing what she was so concerned. She watches as Shinji face of anger turns into pure sadness. Curious Asuka goes over to Shinji just in time to catch him as he nearly faints. Asuka looks to what he has in his hand to see that it is pictures of Mana and some other boy hugging, Mana and Kaji talking, Mana going through Shinji's bag, and apartment. There is also different sheets of paper they look like reports, with highlighted parts attached to them. Asuka goes to read on and she to is shocked.

"Pilot Ikari, has a personality disorder, and is extremely venerable to influence, After the first day of contact, it is clear I will be able to manipulate him to my advantage."

She looks to Shinji how has left her arms and bonding on the ground. "She's a Spy…"

"I'm such a fucking Idiot!" Unable to hold back tears Shinji grabs his head in sorrow. "Why the hell does this have to happen to me…"

Asuka goes to his side to consul him but she is pushed away. She watches helplessly as the boy cries. But she is the only one to hear someone approach thinking its Rei she doesn't look up. "Rei…"

"Sorry…" Asuka eyes shot up to see Mana standing in the balcony doorway with a gun raised to the two of them. "Its not Rei…"

"You betrayed me…" Shinji cries out as she looks up to the girl he thought he loved.

Unable to hold back her own tears Mana shakes her head. "Oh, Shinji, I'm sorry… but if I don't…"

"You bitch!" Asuka stands up with no fear to the gun being pointed at her. "How dare you toy with him like that!"

Ignoring Asuka, Mana pleads to Shinji. "Shinji what I said yesterday… it was all true! I love you…"

"Don't touch her!"

From behind Rei comes down striking Mana in the back with her cane. Her attack however is shot lived, as Mana instinctively defends herself by stepping forward and grappling the cane spinning Rei into the air having her land on her back. In desperation Asuka charges Mana to stop her attack on Rei, only to run into Mana's gun, its barrel strikes Asuka's forehead.

"Please don't…"

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Inside a abandoned building in the shopping district of Tokyo 3, Two man face each other whispers. One is wearing a tan NERV uniform the other a black suit and sunglasses. The main door opens and both freeze. The man in the suit who is facing the door looks to see eleven men enter ten of them are visibly armed. The only one not in a suit wears a black NERV uniform.

They come up to the two men and just before Gendo Ikari can deliver a witty line the skylights of the room blow out and ropes fly down. The ten men around Gendo pull ready their weapons as Men in black BDU's and balaclavas fast rope down all armed.

"Freeze!"

Bursting from the balconies are more men is Black BDU's armed with SA-80 or G-36c assault rifles. Gendo and his ten Section 2 members are surrounded, everyone yells out orders, and points there guns at each other waiting for one to make the first move. Gendo turns to the two men to see the one in the NERV uniform facing him; he iis a westerner and has a camera in his hand. The other walks up to him in with a microphone.

"This is Joe Castle Sky News, reporting live from Tokyo 3, at the seen of a scandalous encounter, here before me is Commander of NERV, Gendo Ikari." He puts the microphone to Gendo, who has his jaw hanging open. "Commander, what do you have to say about the use of bioorganic monsters, as weapons? Is it not true that second Impact was caused by man and not an asteroid! What do you have to say for now that the truth is out."

With the light of the camera somewhat blinding Gendo looks to his men and to the soldiers around him all have the same look, Confusion. He pulls one of his agents closer. "Did he say live…"

The agent rubs his nose as if trying to hide what he is saying. "Um yes sir, he said live…"

Gendo turns to the reporter trying to hide his shock. Before he can speak a communication is heard of one of the Soldiers radios. "Abort, abort! News crews are pulling up out of the woodwork! Abort, abort!"

"Thank you…" The soldier puts his weapon to the side and turns off his radio. "We're fired…"

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The breaking news from Downtown in a much more serious problem Shinji, Rei and Asuka are held at gun point by Mana. The time is slowly reaching 1530 but she can't pull the trigger to save her friends life. All she does is cry as she looks into Shinji's eyes to see all the happiness he showed the other day replaced with grief.

With only a minute until the dead line she does her best to hold her gun steady. With Asuka standing in front of both Shinji and Rei, she makes a stand. "Come on! Come on you little spy! Don't have the guts to shoot us! The only way you are going to do it is if you kill me first!"

"Asuka!" Mana cries as she wishes she wasn't in her situation. "Please, I have no choice if I don't do it… If I don't, my good friends will die, and then they will kill you too…"

Taking a step forward, fist clenched, and a stare of hate in her eyes, Asuka hisses to Mana. "Try me… I don't care if you shot me, I will kill you before you ever get a chance to shot Rei, or Shinji!"

Thirty seconds, she looks to the clock to see that she has thirty seconds until 1530. Just as she makes one final attempt to shoot, the sound of the door being knocked off it hinges has her look behind her. With Mana distracted Asuka dives for the gun but Mana skill is to good, and by accident she pulls the trigger, but the sound of a weapon discharge does not come. Everyone heart skips a beat Rei cries out and Shinji cowers. Kaji runs into the living room to see Asuka scared speech less her face is ghost white. Mana has her eyes closed and the gun in one hand facing Asuka. Everyone opens their eyes to see a little flag attached to poll sticks out the barrel, it reads.

'POW!'

Trembling like she just came out of freezing cold water Mana looks at the flag in with a deranged smile before passing out onto the ground. Kaji rushes to her aid with Asuka next to fall to the ground exhausted from fright. Rei comes to her aid grabbing her and cradling her in her arms crying.

Shinji final comes out of his fetal position and goes to speak but an explosion rings out from Downtown. Shinji turns to see poking through the buildings is some kind of Robot, that was not a Evangelion.

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In NERV's Command Center Misato calls out to her battle staff as on the main hub brings up the picture of the Blue Savoir laying waste to the JSSDF. Hyuga turns to Misato after just hanging up a phone.

"Ma'am, the JSSDF is in full retreat they have turned over the destruction of the rouge Robot to us."

With the orders given Misato turns to Maya looking to see what Eva's they have. "Maya, what's the status of the Eva's."

"All are unable to be launched, all but Unit Three!"

Misato looks to the time to see that its 1530, and it would take at the most twenty minutes to get a pilot in to an Eva. However, little does Misato know that she doesn't have to wait that long. As one the Main hub a vid screen appears it is of Yukari, inside Unit Three.

"Hey, did some one call for a Evangelion?"

With the snap of her fingers and a smile on her face, Misato calls out her orders. "We are in business, Maya activate Unit Three and Launch her to the surface. Shigeru, ready Two Evangelion rifles and send them to the surface!"

It only takes a few seconds to activate Unit Three once done, and the Evangelion is moved to the launch pad, Maya turns to Misato with a thumb up. "Evangelion Unit Three Ready to Launch!"

Misato calls out to her battle staff. "Evangelion Launch!

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Back in the middle of the second worked day in Gendo's life, he and the members of section two are unable to leave with nearly a hundred reports outside, not including the two that stand next to him, on their second camera, section two destroyed the first one, They constantly attack Gendo with question. As they reach outside, they look to see their vehicles blocked by news Van's and a mob of Reporters.

But everyone looks when an explosion rings out over the city the camera's turn to show the monstrosity of the Savoir Robot has finally made its way to the Downtown shopping district. Only slightly damaged from his assault on the JSSDF lines, it stands on its reveres joint bipedal legs as if waiting for something. Its wait isn't Long as coming up only ten blocks away is Evangelion Unit Three, cheers go out to the Eva from the reports. Unit Three gives a friendly wave back. This causes a furry of camera flashes; Gendo slaps himself in the head when he sees the Evangelion waving.

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Inside Unit Three Yukari smiles at the Savoir Robot, she pulls out a cell phone and dials a number, not concerned that the robot will attack her. After a couple of second, it picks up.

"Musashi…" Yukari speaks with a cheerful voice.

On the other end is the male Savoir pilot. "Miss Yukari…"

Glad to hear the boy's voice she leans back in her plug. "How is Keita… I hope he is okay…"

"Oh yes, thanks to you!"

Yukari smiles at the good news nodding her head. "I'm glad, I wasn't sure if I could get him at first."

"Yukari, thank you so much…" This is a small pause as the boy holds back tears. "Take care of Mana for us…"

With the look at the time, Yukari looks back to the Savoir. "I will let you go, your plane should be leaving soon."

"Yes… thanks again…"

With a her head bowed Yukari turns off her cell phone. "One bird left."

Unit Three comes alive as it pulls out the two Eva Rifles. With one in each hand the Eva opens fire the Robot doesn't stand a chance as it is blown into pieces its parts ricochet and strike buildings explosions go off all over the Robot as Yukari empties both clips in to the target. Just as the clips run out the Savoir detonates into a massive fireball.

On the ground, Soldiers form the JDIA, Gendo, and NERV section two are huddled together looking at the explosion. Giving up Gendo looks to what seems to be the leader of the JDIA soldiers.

"So where did you park?"

With a simple head gestures, the Soldier points to five white vans about a block away, all blocked by News vehicles. The soldier looks to Gendo. "Can someone call local PD, these News vehicles are doubled parked."

Nodding his head in agreement, Gendo looks at the dozens of vehicles. He then slaps one of his agents in the back. "Contact the Local PD, get them to clear a way for us."

"Umm… sure thing Commander…"

With that, out of the way the leader of the soldiers offers a cigarette to Gendo which looks like a gift from the gods right about now. He takes the cigarette and allows the man to light it. After a long drag, Gendo looks to his newfound friend. "I believe we have been, used…"

The soldier chuckles at the statement. "Used as in a twenty Yen crack hoar from old Tokyo, then yea we've been Used."

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Back at Misato's apartment Kaji looks over Mana who is still passed out he looks to Shinji after just explaining what has just happened, excluding the fact that Yukari had something to do with it.

"That's it, it was all a really big mistake… I think…"

Rei holds Asuka on her lap, even though Asuka is awake, she is still in shock from the thought she almost died today. "So you are a Spy…"

"Well…" Kaji looks down to Mana to avoid the question.

Thankfully, Shinji brings up a different question. "Why, Mana… Why her…"

"Shinji…" Kaji continues to look at the girl in his lap. "She still loved you…"

The point made is irrelevant to Shinji, his own love with standing, her thought Asuka was shot only ten minutes ago, a girl he once loved long before Mana ever came around. "She betrayed me! She betrayed, my trust, my friends… Kaji she was going to kill us…"

With a sigh, Kaji knows he can't defend Mana himself. "Shinji, this is something your going to have to work out with her."

He picks up Mana and stands; with a sad look he looks to see Shinji unable to look at the girl in his arms. Slowly Mana opens her eyes, her body is still num as she lays helpless in Kaji's arm. She looks to Shinji with guilt.

"I'm sorry it had to come to this... Really I am…"

Asuka, Kaji and Mana watch as Shinji turns his back on her. Even Rei can figure out what just happened. Shinji clenches his fists as he holds back tears. "I'm sorry to… now get out."

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That night Misato and Yukari return to their apartment. Misato pulls up in her brand new 'used car' that replaced the one that was destroyed by raining Angel parts. Yukari is passed out in the passenger seat.

"Yukari…" Misato whispering voice awakes her. With a simple stretch and a meow Yukari reaches out to Misato to pick her up. At first Misato doesn't under stand what she wants but she helps Yukari out of the car, and lets her rest her head on her shoulder. "Gee, Yukari… Its like you haven't slept in days."

"Misato…" Yukari speaks in her half awake stage. "Shinji… and his girl friend broke up…"

The subject catches Misato off guard. "Oh…"

"Its my fault… I broke them up…"

Misato stops walking and looks to Yukari. "Why would you do a thing like that?"

"She… She was the second bird… a Spy for the JDIA… She was working with Kaji… They're a couple of cute little spies…"

The information sends a chill up Misato's back, she has always known Kaji was up to no good, but a spy. "Second bird?" Misato tries to get more information seeing that Yukari is aware of herself.

"I killed five birds today… I'm sorry…"

Concerned on the riddle Yukari speaks Misato looks her in the eye. "What do you mean what birds…"

"Bird one… Expose NERV to the world expose the truth… Bird Two, Expose Lieutenant Mana Kirishima of the JDIA, brake up her and Shinji. Bird Three, Finish the creation of the Love triangle, for later use… Bird Four, Create a new interface to allow Rei to see in side of a Evangelion, using the stolen data used to expose NERV… Bird Five… Destroy the Saviors tricking everyone to think the pilots are dead…"

It's a lot of information to swallow for Misato. She looks at the girl who seems lifeless in her arms. "What are you planning…"

"Please…" Yukari looks to her feet. "Please don't tell Shinji…"

The rest of their trip is in silence; one they make into their apartment Misato takes Yukari to her room. When she turns on the lights, she looks in awe at what she sees. The pictures, all the stolen information, the coat, and about twelve empty pads of Mascara all still cover her room. With the discovery of the disappearing mascara, Misato gives Yukari an evil look and puts her to bed tucking her in.

"You little thief…"

She gives her a kiss on the forehead before leaving turning off the lights and closing the door behind her. When she gets to the kitchen she see Shinji sitting in a chair motionless in front of him is the envelope that exposed Mana for whom she is. Knowing what she has to do, but not thrilled about it, she goes into the kitchen pulling up a chair next to Shinji.

"Mana…" Shinji can barely speak as he looks at the tabletop. "She was a…"

"Shhh…" With a concern look on her face Misato wraps her arm around Shinji, he leans into her shoulder and begins to cry. "Its okay Shinji…" She looks at the photos and papers in front of him to see Yukari was right about Mana and Kaji. She kisses Shinji on the top of his head feeling for the boy she holds. "Its okay… Everything will be okay… Let it be…" Her own eyes begin to water as she comes to the realization that Kaji is a spy. "Let it be…"

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Next Problem… Can you catch a dream…

Notes from the author,

This Episode had me going from cries of laughter to cries of sorrow; it is a very moving episode for me. It's a turning point for everyone in the story. It is also my twentieth chapter! My longest chapter thus fare, it is kinda a Special hour long Episode of Evangelion. Still no pre-reader the job offer is open to any willing volunteer… In related events I have a picture of Yukari in her plug suit with a cat ear headband on… Take a look tell me what you think, here is the link…